Trail Wars: Hikers vs. Mountain Bikers

Marin County mountain bikers claim local hikers leave booby traps to keep them off open space trails

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SHARES

Hikers are usually a peaceful bunch—it’s hard to get all saucy when you’re staring at a gorgeous view, and the generally slower pace of movement (compared to most outdoor pursuits) keeps adrenaline levels at a nice, low simmer.

The hikers featured in the report seem harmless; if those crusty old-timers really made Rambo-style punji stakes to shut down aggro mountain bikers, color me fooled. Still, the fact that anyone would employ violence to protect a trail is indefensible—can’t we all get along, people? BACKPACKER is full of dual-sport mountain bikers and hikers, and we almost never fight each other. Almost.